India have announced a formidable 15-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with teenage wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini earning a deserved call-up after her impressive rise through the domestic and international ranks. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side has made just one change to the squad that featured in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, while also handing an injury-contingent return to off-spinner Shreyanka Patil as the defending champions prepare to chase a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal.
G Kamalini replaces Yastika Bhatia as India eye back-to-back Asian Games gold
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has largely retained the core of the squad despite India’s disappointing group-stage exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this week.
The only change sees 17-year-old Kamalini replacing wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia. Meanwhile, off-spinner Shreyanka has been included in the squad, although her participation will depend on clearing fitness assessments following an ankle ligament injury.
Kamalini’s inclusion marks another significant milestone in her rapidly developing career. The young wicketkeeper-batter has steadily climbed the ranks through impressive performances at the junior, domestic and franchise levels before breaking into the senior setup.
Earlier this month, Kamalini represented India A on their tour of England and caught the selectors’ attention with a brisk unbeaten 35 in the T20 victory at Northampton. Her fearless approach and ability to accelerate in the middle order strengthened her case for a place in the national squad.
She had already made headlines during the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, where she finished as the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer. Her performances also earned her a lucrative INR 1.6 crore contract with Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League auction before the 2025 season. The franchise retained her ahead of the 2026 mega auction, highlighting their long-term faith in her talent.
Across two WPL seasons, Kamalini has featured in 14 matches, scoring 107 runs at a strike rate of 104.90 while gaining valuable experience alongside several international stars. She also made her senior India debut during the fifth T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram last December, which remains her only international appearance so far.
Familiar faces highlights India squad
Kamalini’s selection comes after Yastika endured a difficult Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. The left-handed batter managed only 41 runs in three innings, averaging 13.67, as India failed to progress beyond the group stage. The selectors have opted to invest in Kamalini’s youthful promise while continuing with experienced wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh as the primary glovewoman in the squad.
The remainder of the squad features the experienced leadership of captain Harmanpreet and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, along with established performers such as Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Thakur and Radha Yadav. Emerging talents including Bharti Fulmali, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani and Nandni Sharma have also retained their places.
India Women squad for Asian Games 2026: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), G. Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
